Therapeutic device



Patented Ust. 26, 1948 paaren sTAres smear orrice THERAPEUTIC DEVICECharles Henry Fredenburg, Nyssa, Greg.

Application December 6, 1946, Serial No. 714,558

(Cl. 12S- 399) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a therapeutic device and more particularly toa device for applying light and heat to the 'inside of the mouth andthroat of a patient.

`v The beneficial effects of light and heat for skin and otherirritations is very well known and it is common knowledge that heat andlight are very beneficial for killing and destroying many bacteria. Itis a simple matter to apply this light and heat to any part of theexterior of a body or to an open Wound, but the application of heat andlight Within the body presents many diiculties. Many irritations in themouth and throat may be relieved or cured byv destroying such bacteriain the mouth and throat as will be eiected by heat and light by placinga light within the mouth of the patient. For applying such heat andlight in the mouth of a patient, I have provided an insulating socket so constructed and designed that it will readily support a light bulb inthe mouth with little or no discomfort to the patient, wherein the fulleffect of the heat and- First, 'the treatment does not aifect the personI' in any other or adverse manner as do the medicines and othertreatments; and secondly this treatment will not interfere with oraffect any other treatment for the same or other afictions which thepatient may be taking, and may then be used or taken at the same time.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in thearrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in thedrawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a therapeutic device constructedaccording to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a front end elevation.

Referring to the drawing the numeral I5) designates generally atherapeutic device for applying light and heat to thethroat and mouth ofa patient in the treatment oi colds and sore throat, certain lungtroubles, and particularly respiratory ailments. The use of light andheat in the treatment of respiratory ailmentsl and many other ailmentsof the human body has long been appreciated and many devices havebeenprovided for app-lying light and heat exteriorly ofthe body, and it isan object of this vinvention to apply light and heat within the throatof a patient.

The numeral I designates a device of this kind which may be placed inthe mouth of the patient without undue discomfort. The device Ill isformed with a cylindrical body I I which may be made of Wood, rubber,plastic or other suitable insulating material, having an annular ange i2at one end thereof and an' annular groove I4 about the body forwardly ofthe flange I2. A light bulb socket I5 is secured within the body l I atthe rear end thereof for supporting a light bulb I6 Within the `body II.The socket I5, as shown in Figure 2, is provided with slots I1 for theconnection of a bulb having lugs or bayonets I8 on the base thereof. Ametal base conf tact I9 is secured within the socket I5 for en gagementof the lower or center contact of the light bulb I6. The outer end ofthe socket I5 is exteriorly threaded as at 2D, and a cap 2l or handle isadapted to be engaged about the rearwardly extending portion 20 of thesocket I5. The handle 2l is made of plastic or other suitable insulatingmaterial and is formed with a central opening 22 through which the wires24 and 25 are adapted to be extended to be connected to the socket I5and the center contact I9.

The wires 2f! and 25 connect the light bulb I6 to an exterior source ofsupply. The light bulb I6 will preferably be made for a low voltage andso a transformer 26 is provided in the supply line for reducing thestandard alternating current of 110 volts to the 6 volts required forthe light I6.

The body I I is adapted to be placed in the mouth I of the patient sothat the heat and light from the bulb I6 may be applied directly to themembrane of the mouth and throat and it has been found that the heat andlight applied at this point is also advantageous in treating diseases inthe lungs.

To provide for the comfort of the patient, a rubber sleeve 2l isprovided about the body II, along the entire length thereof. The sleeve2l will be cylindrical in shape and made of rubber or other resilientmaterial of a length greater than the length of the body Il. The forwardend of the sleeve 21 is reverted inwardly as at 28 to Drovide a doublelayer at the forward end of the body I l and the rear end of the sleeve21 encompasses the flange l2. An apertured disk 29 ts about the sleeve21 for securing the sleeve on the body Il and to provide a, limitingstop to prevent the device IB from being placed too far within the mouthof the patient.

The central opening 30 of the disk 29 is greater than the'diameter'ofthe body Il and is smaller than the diameter of the sleeve 21 in itsnormal expanded position in order to press the sleeve 2l in place. Thebulb I6 is completely housed within the body Il so that no part of thebulb may be extended to touch the walls of the mouth or any of thedelicate membranes in the throat of the patient. While a bayonet typebulb is shown, it is understood that other types of bulbs as thosehaving a, threaded base or otherwise may be used with the appropriatetype of socket and .w

while the device as shown in the drawing is for vuse with a`6'volttransformer, other voltages and suitable bulbs maybe used with thenecessary changes in the wiring for the required bulb.

Ido'not mean to coniine Amyself to the exact details of constructionherein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. kA therapeutic vdevice for applying ,heat and light to the mouth andthroatof a person comprising a cylindrical body, a metal socket in saidbody, a, contact member in said socket, a light bulb in said socketengaging said contact member, an annular flange on the rear end of saidbody, said body formed with an annular groove adjacent said ange onthe'orward side thereof, an open ended cylindrical insulating coverabout said body, said coverengaging in said groove and about saidflange, an annular` disk about said body engaging in said groove, andmeans connecting said socket and said Contact with a source of electricsupply.

2. A therapeutic device for applying heat and light to the mouth andthroat of a person com- 5 prising a cylindrical body, a metal socket insaid body, a contact member in said socket, a light bulb in said socketengaging said Contact member, an annular flange on the rear end of saidbody, said body formed with an annular groove lo adjacent said flange ontheforward side thereof, an open ended cylindrical insulating coverabout sai-d body, said cover engaging in said groove and about saidflange, an annular disk about said body engaging in said groove, means3;, connecting said socket and said contact with a source of electricsupply, a portion of said socket extending rearwardly of said body, aninsulating handle about said rearwardly extending portion, and meansconnecting said light with a source of electric supply.

v3, A therapeutic device for applying heat and light to the mouth andthroat of a person Comprising an open ended cylindrical body, a lightbullo in said body, 'an annular vdisk 'about rsaid 3;, body at the rearend thereof,an open ended cylindrical insulating cover for said body,and means connecting said light bulb with a source of electric supplywherein said cover is reverted inwardly upon itself at Athe front endabout said body.

CHARLES HENRY FREDENBURG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 35 leofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 734,306 Merwin Nov. 3, 1903 4r,1,771,076 Chesney July 22, 1930 1,976,084 Morrow Oct. 9, 1934

